Ski-tow apparatus



Sept. 2, 1952 L. MOORE ETAL SKI-TOW APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.

INVENTOPS. W/JL TE? LL M0095 650,965 2 CflPl E'E BY MAM M A rromvsrs.

p 2, 1952 w. L. MOORE ET AL 2,608,935

SKI -TOW APPARATUS INVE'NTOAS. WALTEP L. MOOPE 650265 R CflPl EE BYWI k 4i Sept. 2, 1952 w. L. MOORE ETAL 2,608,935

SKI-TOW' APPARATUS Filed Dec. 19. 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 nvvavrows! WAL me L. M0025 650966 9 CAEl/EE A TTORNEVS.

Patented Sept. 2, 1952 SKI-TOW APPARATUS Walter L. Moore, Austin, Tex., and George P. Carver, Northridge, Calif.; said Carver assignor to said Moore Application December 19, 1947, Serial No. 792,652

Claims.

r This invention relates to skiing equipment and more particularly to a mobile ski-tow apparatus as preferably embodied in a power tractor of new and improved design intended to be driven to a point at the top of a ski-run andthere anchored or temporarily positioned in a manner to assist skiers in their ascent of the slope as by means of an endless conveyor preferably powered by the power plant of the tractor itself.

Skiiing equipment is ordinarily usable only during limited periods of the, year and to a limited extent in given locations depending upon such elements as the vagaries of the weather and seasonable temperature fluctuations from year to year. .1

Heretofore ski-tow apparatus which is ordinarily quite bulky, cumbersome and immobile, has been located permanently in a given place at the head of a selected ski-run and it has been largely a matter of luck whether from year to year the particular site chosen proves to be the most desirable for the intended purpose. Quite often snow flurries ordrifts occur in different localities than the one upon which the ski-tow has been permanently located, and it is therefore desirable to provide a mobile ski-tow which can be propelled under its own power to any temporarily favorable site, there to be anchored and used pending the location of another more favorable position. Optionally alsojthe ski-tow may be positioned at the bottom of the hill and by utilizing the idler pulley construction at the top thereof, provide an equally satisfactory and effective operating arrangement.

It is among the objects of this invention, therefore, to provide a mobile ski-tow apparatus utilizing a common motive power to operate the treads of the tractor for transporting the same from place to place, together with itsequipment, and likewise to energize anendless tow-rope or the like. to which the skiers may cling and be carried from the bottom to the top of the run without the necessity of laboriouslyreturning under their own power.

It is also among the intended objects of this invention to provide a new and improved ski tow apparatus having a minimum of necessary functional parts of relatively great utility to perform a desired maximum of intended result, which is readily and economically manufactured, which can be self-transported easily over heavy or light snow from place to place in the most difficult types of terrain, which is provided further with stowage spaces for necessary auxiliary equipment,'and whose parts are readily assembled and disassembled for replacement or repair.

Among the more specific objects of. the invention is the provision-of a ski lift apparatus of the desired character described in conjunction with new and improved safety features and accessories.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved snow tractor for the stated desired purposes.

Another further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved track and track supporting structure for said apparatus.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved simplified reversing mechanism for the tractor tread drive.

A still further object is the incorporation in said structure of a new and improved simplified control arrangement.

Other contemplated objects envision the improvement of prior art devices and apparatus intended for a similar purpose.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and specifications wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred form of ski tow apparatus embodying this invention, as employed.

Figure 2 is a detailed view of a sheave.

Figure 3 is a sectional view as on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of a ski-mobile or tractor, comprising a portion of this invention.

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the tractor.

Figure 6 is a detailed sectional view taken as on the line 66 of Figure 10.

Figure '7 is a top view of the tractor, parts being cut away.

Figure 8 is a sectional view of a track drive mechanism taken as on a line 88 of Figure 4.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken as on a line 9--9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken as on a line Ill-l0 of Figure 7.

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the track.

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken as on a line 12-42 of Fig. 11.

Figure 13 is an elevational view of a. safety switch and cut-01f guard for the lift line.

Figure 14 is a sectional view as on a line I l-l 4 of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is an enlarged view similar to Figure 14 but showing the parts in a different operative relationship.

Referring more particularly to the drawings,

a tractor, generally designated by the numeral 28 (Cf. Fig. 1), has operatively secured thereto an endless ski tow or rope 2| which may be operatively secured to the tractor as will appear, and which may be secured at a distant point to a post, anchor or other object, such as a tree 22 as by means of a specially devised pulley wheel 23. A guard 24 is associated with the rope 2| in a manner to disconnect the power in the machine and prevent further movement of the rope 2| when a skier collides with the uard, as will be later set forth.

The tow-mobile or tractor 20 itself generally comprises a frame 30 preferabl having any desired number of longitudinal supporting members 3| connected at their forward end to a transverse supporting member 32, at their rearward end by a similar transverse supporting member 33, and connected intermediate their ends by transverse supports 35 and 36 designed to sustain the weight of a motor 31, preferably of a gasolinefuel type, and associated drive and clutch mech anism 3.8. Anyother type or arrangement 01 frame may be used. An additional longitudinal supporting member 46 is included to additionally ree'nforce and support a gear box 41 or the like associated with the drive mechanism.

The motor is secured in any well-known manner to the. transverse members 35 and 35 as by means of a plate 4,! (Cf. Fig. 4). Any desired auxiliary bracing may also be employed and the motor secured thereto as by means of bolts 4.9.

The clutch mechanism 38 is, operatively connected to the motor 31. through any conventional drive means (not shown) and is remotely controllable from the rear of the tractor as through an upright control rod 5| pivotally secured to the supports 31 and 40 by means of a pin 5 or the like. For this purpose, also, the upright member 5| is provided with a metal band 5 5 loosely accommodating a clutch lever 56. The upright 5| is, in turn, linked as by pin 58 to a longitudinal control rod 59 extending outwardly beyond the rearmost portion of the towmobile, and there loosely held within an eyelet 6Q. or the like fixed to the cross-piece 62 of a handle 63 The handle further comprises a pair of side members 65 and 55 which is firmly secured to the rear of the towmobile as by welding to the longitudinal frame members 30 and 3 I.

The handle 6} is intended for use by an operator walking behind the machine (when not riding therein), who, by applying sidewise pressure, may steer the machine in any desired manner. The operator may alsocontrol the current to the motor by a switch I56 mounted on the crosspiece 62;

The motor is operatively connected to an endless tread 70 for forward movement as by means of the clutch mechanism 33, a gear box ii, a

sprocket II, a sprocket chain 72 and a sprocket gear I3. The gear I3 is keyed to a shaft 74 to which is also keyed a sprocket I5 which drives a chain 76 and thereby a sprocket Ll keyed to an axle 18 to which tread'gears I9 are also keyed at either side of the tractor.

The tread 70 is supported on links 83 forming spaced endless chains 82 and 83 at opposite sides of the tow-mobile. The pins 85 in said chains extend laterally from either side of the links so that short sections of angle iron 8! may be secured, as by welding 88, to one end of the pins to fill in the space between depending side frame plates 90 and the corresponding chain and drive wheels I9 therefor.

The angle iron is preferably so disposed upon the pin that its apex faces downwardly as the chain is in contact with the snow or other ground surface. Its sides 9H and 92 thereby engage the snow at an angle forming an effective gripping surface, the edges 93 of the angles confronting one another at evenly spaced intervals except for the occasional omission of an angle to permit any entrapped snow to be removed and to facilitate replacement of the track in sections.

Also, intermediate the sprocket chains 82 and 83 and similarly secured between opposed pins 85 at their inner ends 95 are preferably longer and continuous angles 96 preferably in line with the end portions 87 and likewise secured as by Welding 91 to said pins.

In order to prevent rotation of the angles, these are welded in pairs to the outer members of the link chain on each side thereof, the other or inner links being free to pivot on the pins to avoid rigidity of the tread. By this construction the pins 85 with optional gear engaging collars ma be accommodated between the teeth 93 of the drive wheel IS in a conventional manner.

The forward-track drive wheel I03 need not be directly connected to the source of motor power of the tow-mobile but may be journaled freely upon an axle IUI suitably secured to side members as by bearings I03. The sustaining lower part I95 of the tread is braced against upward movement and adapted to be slid along the lower surface I05 of longitudinal guide members I01 Which are supported by transverse braces I08 welded at their ends to the side plates below the general frame 30.

Occasional links III) are secured to cotter-held pins III to which no angles are welded and which, therefore, may be disengaged from their corresponding links in order to separate the tread at that point, permitting intervening sections of tread between any pins III to be removed for replacement or repair or for altering the over-all length of the tread, by interposing units of different lengths in their place. This construction, as heretofore stated, affords a space (cf. Fig. 12) by skipping an angle corresponding to said pins, such as indicated at I15 and HE (Figs. 10 and 11), through which snow or other debris which may have penetrated between adjacent angles can escape, ordinarily, at the rear of the tractor.

A camber of the thread I0 longitudinally of the tractor is intended to facilitate steering of the tractor. Such camber is seen most clearly in Figure 10, wherein a straight edge under the tread will show that the planev of the tread tapers up from the center of the tractor towards thev front and back respectively. Turning of the tractor is thus eased by the fact that the weight of the tractor is borne mainly in the center treads on which the tractor mainly pivots in turning. Also, appropriate guide elements II 'I may be supported on the frame and suitably disposed above and optionally below the ppermost portion of the tractor in a similar manner to the guides IQ! to assist in keeping the center of gravity of the tractor low. A reversing mechanism for the tread. is containedin a revolvable housing Ilt' which is axially slotted II 9 on its periphery for the lateral slidable accommodation of a pin I2 0 projecting therethrough and secured toa reversing b-olt I22 which is selectively extensible'from opposite ends I23 and, I24 of a bore I25 formed in the housing. Said housing is preferably. olid and secured asby akey I26 to a shaft I2I which is in turn drivingly connected through the gear box 41 to a main sheave I30 provided with two grooves I-3I and I32 adapted for the accommodation of corresponding loops of the tow rope 2 I.

The housing is interposed between plates I35 and I36 secured respectively to the sprocket II as by welding I38 and to .a sprocket I 40'as by similar welding MI. The sprockets I'I'and I 40 are ordinarily freely rotatable upon the shaft I2'I, but upon selective projection of the bolt I22 through holes I42 and I 43 in the plates I 35and I36, respectively, the sprockets are thereby carried around with the housing I18 and the shaft I2 I for the purpose of driving the tread forwardly or for reversing the same.

The forward driving connection of the motor and the tread has heretofore been indicated. The reversing connection thereof may be accomplished by retraction of the bolt I22 from the tread drive hole I42 in the plate I35 and its projection, by manipulation of the bolt I20, through the hole I43 in the plate I 36.

Thereversing movement of the tractor is thereby accomplished as follows: The shaft I2I is driven in a normal clockwise direction as indicated by an arrow in Figure 10. Therefore, the engagement of the bolt I22 with the plate I36 causes clockwise rotation of the reversing sprocket I40, chain I44, reversing sprocket I3I keyed t the shaft I36, and reversing sprocket I33 likewise keyed to the shaft I39 and in mesh wit-h the chain I2. The clockwise rotation of the reversing sprocket I33 therefore causes the chain I2 to rotate the sprockets I3 and I9 in a counterclockwise direction to move the tractor rearwardly. The shaft I30 is preferably loosely journaled in a reenforcing plate I34, in:which the shaft I2I may likewise terminate, and in the housing 41 by means of any appropriate bearings.

The tow rope 2| may be wound about the drive sheave I30 and an idler sheave I45 as follows: The rope, a continuous loop, is first passed around the drive sheave I30, thence around the idler sheave I45, thence back around the drive sheave I30, then over a guide pulley I46 whence the samemay be looped about the pulley23, which may be secured to a tree 22 as above noted by means of a tie I41 and returned over the idler pulley to the drive pulley as aforesaid. It will thus be seen that a constant desired tension can be maintained upon the tow rope by a hitch which will not slip and which will grip ever more tightly as added restraint is placed up on the tow rope.

Stowage boxes I50 and II of appropriate capacity and dimensions to fill in the remaining portion of the frame may be positioned at the rearward and forward ends, respectively, of the tow-mobile, and is fitted with hinges I52 and I53, respectively, by virtue of which they may be tipped up for access to them or to parts of the tractor mechanism. The stowage boxes may thus serve as shields over some of said mechanism. In addition, however, it is desirable to provide suitable shields, as I55 (cf. Fig. 8) at the sides of the tow-mobile over various of the moving parts. A similar shield (not shown) may be removably provided at the sides of and over the tow rope pulleys I46. I45 and I30.

The guard (Figs. 1, 13, 14, and 15) heretofore mentioned and designated generally by the numeral 24 preferably comprises a U-shaped frame member I60 having legs I61 and I62 and a transverse top member I63. Spades I64 and I65 are welded to the lower ends of the frame members I6I and I62 and are provided with shoulders I65 whereby they may be readily sunk into the snow in a position such that the tow rope 2I .passes through the space I66 between the legs I6I and I62. The arms I61 and I68 of a spring I66 are welded to the frame members I6I and I 62 and fitted with a transverse piece II0 which serves to operate the switch I1 I correspondingly mounted on the frame member I63. A relative movement of the spring arms I61 and I68 towards the frame members I6I and I62 as by collision thereagainst by the bodyof a skier shuts ofi current to the motor, stopping further movement of tow rope to avoid any possibility of serious accident if the skier fails to make a timely disengagement from the-rope.

. The switch III can be reset to supply current to the motor as by the manual withdrawal of the actuating pin II2. Current to the switch III is obtained as by any wire I13 connected in a conventional manner to the ignition system (not shown) .of the motor.

The pulley wheel (Figs. 1, 2, and 3) 23 is made with a split yoke I I4 loosely pivoted on a bolt or the like I15. The arms I16 and Ill ofthe yoke can be separated by relative rotation on the bolt I15 and the endless rope 2I easily passed between them and over the wheel 23. The pulley assembly can then be readily secured to the tree 23 or the like as by means of any tie I4I.

In the use of the preferred form of ski-tow apparatus heretofore described, any necessary equipment, including skis, tow-rope 2I, guard I60, pulley 23, etc., may be stored in compartments I50 and I5I provided on the tractor for such purpose.

If it is desired to drive the tractor forward, the bolt I22 is inserted through the hole I43 in the forward driving plate I 36 by means of the finger bolt I 20. The motor is then started by any usual means, and upon engagement of the clutch 38 by means of the handle 59 the machine moves forward powered by the motor. The forward drive is through the clutch 38, gear box 4I, shaft I27, sprocket 1|, chain I2, sprocket I3, chain I6, and sprocket I9 connected with the chains 82 and 83 of the tread I0. The sprocket II is thus driven in a clockwise direction, as illustrated in Figure 10, and thereby drives, without effect, the freely turning, disengaged reversing sprockets I40, I33, and I31, and also the idler tensioning spocket I29. But the chain I2, and the sprockets I3 and I0 are driven in a clockwise direction (of. Fig. 10) to move the tractor forwardly.

The main sheave I30 which is keyed to the shaft I2I will function as a fly wheel whether the machine is moving forwardly or rearwardly, thereby assisting the same over difficult terrain and otherwise conserving momentum and preserving stability of operation in the moving parts.

The machine is guided over the snow by an operator walking behind the same and gripping the transverse handle 62 by which the tractor may be turned from side to side.

When a desired site is reached, the tractor may be anchored or positioned as desired, either with or without checks or the like (not shown), and with the forward end preferably facing the run. The rope equipment is then set up and the guard I60 positioned over the rope 2I. The rope is passed around the sheave 23 by which'it is secured as to a tree 22 at the lower end of the run and also around the sheaves I30, I45, and I46, as heretofore described. Prior to wind-.-

ing the rope around the-sheaves, the clutch is disengaged as by the handle 59 or the motor stopped so as to haltithe'rotation of the powered sheave I30. Thereafter, when the clutch is again engaged the rope 2I will be continuously passed around the sheaves a'ndthe pulley 23 so that it maybe grasped by an ascending skier to return him from a point in the run adjacent the lower end of: the rope to aihigher point adjacent the tractor. I

Inthe. event that the skier should neglect to let go of the rope he will'collide with the guard I60, thereby flexing the spring-like arms I07 and I68.to: actuate the switch III and shut off the motor to prevent his being drawn into the sheaves and other operating parts.

If it is desired to reverse the movement of the tractor, the clutch should be disengaged by the arm 59 and the reversing housing II8 rotated into a position such that the hole I43 is in alignment (either as evidenced by suitable mark or by'bare observation) with the reversing 'plate I36. In such a position the bolt I22 may be extended throughthe hole I43 to lock the housing to the reversing plate I36 and its associated reversing gear I40.

The rotation of the housing i If; for the alignment of its bolt I22 with the reverse drive hole I43 may be readily accomplished by the operators grasping and rotating the powered sheave I 30 in any required direction so as to turn the shaft I21. A similar procedure is obviously called for when it is desired to change the power for a forward drive by retracting the bolt I22 from the hole I43 in the plate I30 and locking the same,

by the hole I42, to the plate I associated with the forward drive sprocket H.

If, as when the tractor is temporarily stationed for use, it is desired to immobilize the tread and ,cause only the powered rotation of the sheave I30 for driving'the rope 2|, the bolt I22 should be centered wholly within the housing II8,,thereby withdrawing it both from the hole I43 in the plate I30 and the hole I42 in the plate I 35. Thereby the housing IIB which is keyed to the shaft I2! will rotate independently of the forwardly and rearwardly driven sprockets Hand I40, respectively. Thus the same motive power for moving the tractor is selectively utilizablenot merely to drive the same forwardly and rearwardly, but also, independently, to power the sheave I36 operating the rope 2| when the tractor is anchored at the'top of the ski-run. I 7

It, will be apparent that those skilled in the mechanical art of tractor andequipment manufacture will be able to vary the frame construction and the arrangement of the several operat ing parts to a considerable extent while retaining essential operative and other desired conditions within-the spirit of the invention.

Nevertheless, the embodiment illustrated features a tread 70 extending substantially continuously from side to side of the tractor and from the forward to the'rearward end thereof with the exception of optional gaps to permit entrant snow and other debris to be ejected or removed. At the same time, the instant embodiment provides a tread having high traction qualities remarkably fitted to the purpose intended and capable of sustaining a considerable weight while, maintaining a desired power and maneuverability over mountainous terrain and snow drifts, whether the latter bexfirmly packed or not. I j

The guides I07 at the sides of the tractor ride freely and easily over the rollers I or the like surrounding the pins and III providing both a simple andhighly effective track support. Depending side plates 90, moreover, provide a finished appearance, a sturdy foundation, a safely enclosed track mechanism and lateral guards effective, where necessary, to retain the track in a position of alignment with the track drive sprockets I9 and I00 employed at the side of the machine or otherwise as desired.

While other reversing mechanisms are contemplated, as will readily ocourto those skilled in the art, it is desired to retain the essentially simple features of the illustrated and described mechanism or its counterpart to afford a preferred ease of operation combined with structural simplicity and economy of production.

Thecornpleted unit is therefore compact and complete and as foolproof as is consistent with the purposes intended so that the same be used on any type of terrain and is readily transportable from place to place under its own motive power which serves the duel function of additionally'powering the sheave or winch I30 to pull the tow rope 2 I.

Although an operator could ride upon the machine itself, it is intended that he rather plod behind driving the same over the snow on snowshoes to avoid adding his weight thereto.

The apparatus comprising the tractor may be made of any material, such as steel, Wood, or the like, and if desired, for minimizing its weight, be constructed, where feasible, of the lighter metals, such as aluminum.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred method and embodiment; it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent structures and methods.

Having herein described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' 1. In a mobile ski-tow of the character described, comprising a power tractor mounted upon a continuous endless tread extending from the front to the rear ends and from side to side thereunder, and including tow means selective- 1y powerable by the motor of the tractor mounted on the tractor; front and rear axles supporting the tractor, sprocket wheels mounted on the axles respectively, the feature of novelty comprising: said tread being solely mounted on said front and rear sprocket wheels in the general form of a fiat loop including an upper run and a lower run, guide means depressing the center of said upper run between and below upper portions of the sprocket wheels whereby the upper and lower tread runs are closer together near the center of the tractor than at its ends, to prevent upward movement thereof and to prevent said run from striking superadjacent parts of the tractor, superadjacent parts of the tractor extending below a horizontal plane, common to the tops of sprocket wheels whereby the center of gravity of the tractor is lowered.

2. In the ski-tow apparatus of claim 1, vertical plate means depending from the tractor for the journalled securement of said axles, and means extending between said plate means for supporting the main body of the tractor nested 4. The apparatus of claim 3, said tread furw ther comprising sprocket chain members on and extending circumferentially of the tread, said chain members defining openings through the tread, sprocket teeth in the sprocket wheels extending consecutively through said openings during movement of tractor.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, said source of power being directly connected to and powering said rear sprockets for moving said tread.

WALTER L. MOORE. GEORGE P. CARVER.

10 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 381,545 Caps et al Mar. 10, 1908 939,264 Jones Nov. 9, 1909 940,825 Poughan Nov. 23, 1909 1,003,353 Gibas Sept. 12, 1911 1,234,355 Lombard July 24, 1917 1,251,001 Farling Dec. 25, 1917 1,260,259 Fish Mar. 19, 1918 1,324,937 Smith Dec. 16, 1919 1,450,385 Prince Apr. 3, 1923 1,485,653 Walters Mar. 4, 1924 2,046,560 Johnston et a1 July 7, 1936 2,181,519 Paquette Nov. 28, 1939 2,393,309 Cochran Jan. 22, 1946 2,440,518 Lewis et a1. Apr. 27, 1948 

